Princess Mononoke

One of my favourite movies of all time. It was referred to in The O.C. (first season) which is what got me really interested in this movie. I know, pathetic huh? (That was a rhetorical question) Well at the time I hadn't seen as much anime as I have now, so I needed the reference to get me interested in watching a movie I had no knowledge about.


[To be continued]



Tree spirits

my very first drive-in

Last Sunday night I went to Bass Hill Drive-In cinemas with Kimmie (the driver), Holly and Yunita. Kimmie had insisted that we do something so the night before she organised the get together. We knew not many people could go, but only five people could fit in the car anyway.

We met up at my place, and left to buy dinner at not one but three drive-throughs, Hungry Jacks, KFC, and McD. We had no idea buying fast food could take so long, because in the end we were running late. I was the one entrusted with the street directory to guide the driver, I just had to confuse my right from my left didn't I!

We're at the intersection,
K: We go right, right?
Me: No, left.
K: Left.
[We turn left.]
Me: I said left.
K: I am turning left.
Me: No, LEFT!
K: This is left.
Me: LEFT! No I mean right sorry!

Anyways, we had wasted more time trying to turn back thanks to me. We had to make a U turn, but there were 'no left turn' signs and the first street we did turn around in had a 'no right turn' sign, and we really needed to go back in the opposite direction to where we came from. So, we had to find another street.
[Just so you know, the street with the 'no right turn' sign was Cavill Avenue. What a coincidence, since Kimmie did say she was going to marry Henry Cavill, though I did see him first. He's an actor, you have to see 'I Capture the Castle'.]

About 30 minutes later we got to the drive-in (with better guidance from me), and with a game of chance decided to go to field 2 to watch Wedding Crashers, which was to be followed by Zoolander. We initially had trouble deciding because some of us had already seen certain movies, but that's another long story.

I hadn't seen Wedding Crashers previously, and thought it was really funny. I do wish that they didn't show jokes in trailers, but I suppose the movie-goers of today need to see something of the movie to be convinced that they ought to go see it. There isn't much to say about the movie. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaugn were funny. I thought Isla Fisher was good as well, and the freaky brother was another character that I thought was particularly funny, though they don't show him in the trailers.
I give it 3 stars, it was more entertaining than The Skeleton Key.

Zoolander is an old movie that I saw for the first time just weeks ago on dvd, so I won't bother rating or discussing it. I will say that Owen Wilson was funnier in this movie. And how on earth did they manage to get so many cameos? Oh, and Milla Jovovich was particularly good as well.

Well the movies finished about 11:15pm, and I have to say it is so convenient to just drive out of a cinema as soon as it finishes. On the way home we got ice-cream, and listened to 106.5. It was a good night out, and we will go again some other time I hope.

We must interrupt this series...

...this anime-themed series of posts to hear about the movie I saw today.

The Skeleton Key

Yes another $5.00 movie I saw with my mum. She's been wanting to see it, so I thought we ought to see it before ticket prices go up next month. Even the coke and popcorn was cheaper today.

I discovered the difference between voodoo and hoodoo today.

Voodoo is a religion and hoodoo is just magic. Atleast that's what I understood.

It was ok. But I thought it would be scarier as did my mum. It had a nice little twist at the end, but it just wasn't that great. I left the cinema not caring about what happened to Caroline (Kate Hudson) which is unusual because you usually give a damn when a movie doesn't end with a complete happy ending.

Well, I give it 2 and a half stars. Just rent it on DVD or go see it if there's nothing better to watch.

Now for the anime which I have promised Anya I'd write about for months

I have to say I've always liked anime, but first semester break has seen this become an obssession. I will be going to Animania in October, which is basically an anime convention, and I cannot wait. I have a few friends that enjoy my obssession so I hope they will enjoy my next few entries. I am warning my Anime series of entries will take some time as I will want to revise some of what I have seen.

I shall start with the latest thing I have been watching which is Ranma 1/2. I am currently at the start of the 2nd season, and I have to tell you this is one bizarre story. Mainly because of the main character. It is really weird at first, but by the second season I don't find it so strange anymore.

I should include some of the storyline. By the way this series is based on a manga series according to Yuni. But I just don't have the patience or the dough to support a manga obsession.

Anywayz, the brief story, how this series starts...
In the first episode you see a giant panda chase and fight a red-headed girl down the street, and carry her away. Much to the astonishment of passersby. Meanwhile in another part of town Tendo Soun, the father of three girls is thrilled at the news that Saotome Ranma and his father Genma are coming. You see, Soun was promised by Genma that Ranma would marry one of his daughters and become the heir of their dojo. It turns out that Ranma is a red-headed girl, so Soun is crushed to have no fiance/heir. However, it is soon discovered that Ranma the girl changes into a boy, and the giant panda was in fact Ranma's father Genma.

The story behind the Saotome transformations:
Well, the Saotome's have been training as martial artists for what seems like all their lives. Most recently, they have been training in China, they got there by swimming from Japan (crazy). Anywayz, they went in search of this special training ground, a place with magical hot springs called Jyusenkyo. Unfortunately they didn't listen to their guide about the story behind this place. Basically, if you fall into any of the hotsprings you become cursed and so whenever you are in contact with cold water you turn into whatever according to legend died in that pool. Ranma fell into 'Spring of the Young Girl', and for Genma it was a Panda. Only hot water changes them back. Unfortunately for the youngest of the Tendo daughters, Akane, she is engaged to this 1/2 boy 1/2 girl Ranma, hence the name of the series.

You really have to see the series (or read the manga). It is SO bizarre and funny. One of the funny plots concerns two other characters, a brother and a sister. The brother has been fighting Akane everyday before school to try and get a date with her, so when her fiance Ranma comes along he declares they are enemies. The funny thing is he falls in love with the girl half of Ranma (whilst still obssessed with Akane needless to say). His sister later on in the series falls in love with the male Ranma and declares war against the female Ranma. This gives rise to many funny situations. Now I could go on but I have to stop here or I'll never finish my entries.

Batman Begins

The last movie of the holidays was Batman Begins. Well when I found out that Greater Union was having $5.00 tickets on Tuesdays, just for the month of August I had to take advantage of it. So, after saying over and over again that I was going to see Batman Begins, I finally did go and see it with my mum. My brothers used to go and see movies with us but they no longer want to. So I could have seen this earlier if they had shown some interest.

This movie is SO much better than the past Batman movies, which have always seemed a tad bit cheesy compared to other movies that are based on popular comics. I was so happy that Christian Bale got the role, and even happier that he will continue to be Batman in the next 2 films. He said if people were happy with his portrayal that he wouldn't want somebody else playing the character. And I am very happy. I am also so incredibly relieved that Katie Holmes didn't have such a crucial role, and won't be returning in the next films (atleast that is what they indicated in the movie). I would have been so annoyed if there was a love story in this, like in Spiderman. Well in Spiderman the love interest was very important in the original storyline, but Kirsten Dunst was just plain annoying in the movie. I thought Spiderman was crap.

I haven't read any of the Batman comics but it seems like the movie was trying to stay true to the original plotline. I think it was important that they start from how this character came about, which none of the past movies ever did (as far as I know, I haven't actually seen them all, I said they looked cheesy). For awhile I couldn't figure out who Ra's al Ghul was, but then I remembered that it was Ken Watanabe, remember The Last Samurai? He was so good in that movie. Anyway, back to Batman. All the supporting male actors I thought were chosen very well. Tom Wilkinson had a great accent, very different to his character in A Good Woman. Morgan Freeman was good, he didn't need to do too much, but I liked him. And ofcourse the choice of butler, Michael Caine as Alfred. I love this actor. They needed a good English actor for this role, but I heard he hasn't signed up for the next two movies. Understandably he doesn't have a huge role, but it'd be a real shame if he wasn't Alfred again. Oh, and Liam Neeson was good, I don't want to say anymore because I didn't expect his character would turn out to be... well you know what I'm talking about if you saw it.

All the special effects, especially the bats and The Scarecrow looked really cool. And I loved the way they ended it, with the calling card from you know who.

Well I have to give this movie 4 stars. Admittedly I am heavily biased, I love this version of the Batman comics, and having Christian Bale as the star of this movie, gives it extra points.

Kevin! plus quotes

I guess I hadn't tried hard enough, when I was looking for photos of Kevin the first time round. The second time round I found a photo of him immediately.

QUOTES

Dwight: Most people think Marv is crazy. He just had the rotten luck of being born in the wrong century. He'd be right at home on some ancient battlefield swinging an axe into somebody's face. Or in a Roman arena, taking his sword to other gladiators like him. They woulda tossed him girls like Nancy back then.
...

Marv: I love hitmen. No matter what you do to them, you don't feel bad.
...

Dwight: I'm Shellie's new boyfriend and I'm out of my mind. If you so much as talk to her or even think her name, I'll cut you in ways that'll make you useless to a woman.
Jack Rafferty: You're making a big mistake, man. A *big* mistake.
Dwight: You made a big mistake yourself... you didn't flush.
[Dwight shoves Jackie Boy's head into a toilet filled with urine]
...

Marv: This is blood and by the gallon. These are the old days, the bad days, the all-or-nothing days. They're back! There's no choice left. And I'm ready for war.
...

[repeated line]
Marv: That there is one damn fine coat you're wearin'.
...

Priest: ...ask yourself if that corpse of a slut is worth dying for.
Marv: Worth dying for.
[shoots priest]
Marv: Worth killing for.
[shoots him again]
Marv: Worth going to hell for.
[shoots him again]
Marv: Amen.
...

Dwight: She doesn't quite chop his head off. She makes a Pez dispenser out of him.
...

Dwight: Miho. You're an angel. You're a saint. You're Mother Theresa. You're Elvis. You're God. And if you'd shown up about ten minutes earlier, we'd still have Jackie-Boy's head.
...

Dwight: Deadly little Miho. She won't let you feel a thing unless she wants you to. She twists the blade. He feels it.

the second in a period of a week

The second movie my mum and I saw was Sin City. Now I just had to see this movie. It looked so good in the trailer, and everyone has been talking about how great it is. Because of all this I guess I had really high expectations.

Don't get me wrong this IS a good movie. It looks AMAZING, and the lines... the way the characters talk... very distinctive. You can see that they really were aiming to stay true to Frank Miller's comics. Just look at the pictures I've included and watch the movie to judge for yourself. The problem I had was the story. I liked it. But I was wanting more. It is hard, there are three stories in the one movie, so that's probably why I feel this way. As I mentioned before, I'm afraid all the hype ruined it for me. Mum thought it was very violent, and says she won't be buying the dvd. It's one of those movies I'd really like to see again though.

For a much more detailed look at the movie including plot and characters look at Kimmie's blogspot, thefarawaytree.blogspot.com I really liked Mickey Rourke's character Marv (huge tough guy with bandages all over him in the pic above), Devon Aoki's character Miho (the silent killer, first picture above), Elijah Wood's character Kevin (the agile, again silent killer, also a cannibal), and Clive Owen's character Dwight (cool guy with a gun in pic above). I'm annoyed I couldn't find a pic of Kevin, his character was so cool, freaky, but cool.

4 stars. I couldn't give it more because of the above reasons, but it definitely deserves 4.

Ladies in Lavender

Within a period of a week, I saw 3 more movies with my mum. Initially we were going to see Sin City, but I was running late so we missed the train, and rather than go back home we decided to just see a different movie. Ladies in Lavender was what we chose, mainly because mum had wanted to see it for months, and we were nicely surprised to find it was still showing.

It was a good drama. That being said I would say to you, only see it if you like drama. I do, but this didn't strike me as fantastic. The only reason is the story, I wouldn't change it, but because of it, it hasn't become one of my favourites of all time. This is definitely a movie for its characters. It is set in a Cornish fishing village in the 1930's, the two sisters living by the beach are played by Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. You can see from this movie just how amazingly talented and gifted these actresses are. Well, these sisters have led perfect calm somewhat routine lives till a young man is washed up on their shore, the Polish Andrea played by Daniel Bruhl (I have to see 'Goodbye Lenin' one day). The sisters both form a strong attachment to Andrea, however Judi Dench's character forms an even stronger attachment that goes beyond motherly love, despite the age difference. Anyway, Andrea turns out to be a fantastic violinist and the sisters test their relationship with the young boy, particularly when they interfere with his future. There is more going on but I have to stop there or I'll retell the entire story.

I have to give it 3 and a half stars because it was good, the performances by everyone were very good, and the violin music very good aswell, but it just wasn't as moving as I thought it would be.

A Good Woman

Another movie I've wanted to see for a long time (well I like to see a lot of movies). My mum actually wanted to see this, so I felt kinda bad going to see it with my friends from senior high school, but it was so good, I've requested for it to be added to our DVD collection, so she'll see it later anyway.

This was an adaptation of 'Lady Windermere's Fan' by Oscar Wilde, and I have to say I really like his work. The change of title for the movie, updated to 1930's and set in Italy was very appropriate though (you have to see the movie to understand this). Basically everything was perfect in this movie, great casting, great characters, great costumes and scenery, you get the drift. Helen Hunt's a great actress, and Tom Wilkinson's character was so "endearingly silly (a phrase I stole from another amateur reviewer whilst looking for photos)." I'm particularly happy about Stephen Campbell Moore (don't you love his name) being cast as Lord Darlington. I've seen him in the BBC productions 'Byron' and 'He Knew He Was Right', have I mentioned that I love the BBC. They produce the best period productions. As Kimmie said Moore is a hottie, though a bit funny looking in the shades (pictured above). I'm surprised he hasn't done more filmwork though.

4 stars for a wonderful movie.

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

I really wanted to see this movie, don't ask me why exactly, I just REALLY wanted to see this movie. I suppose I just still like watching these teenage chick flicks, well I really wanted to see this one in particular. So I finally saw it with my mum.

It was good for light entertainment I suppose. But I expected more yes even from a teenage film. I mainly had a problem with Alexis Bledel and the story (I'm not going into too much detail here.

Firstly Bledel, I mainly associate her with Gilmore Girls (the series itself has gone from bad to worse, I'm surprised they haven't axed it yet), I thought was unconvincing. But I could just be biased, I don't think she is much of an actress.

Secondly, I wanted more from the story, but I suppose this could be more a problem from trying to make an adaptation of a book. There tends to usually be something missing in the movie thats in the book.

I was unsatisfied with each of the characters stories except for Amber Tamblyn's character (pictured left). America Ferrera's story ended the movie, being what I thought the most unsatisfying story of the 4, it made the end of the movie crap.

I give it 2 stars.

i shall begin with movies

But I shall only comment briefly because I could honestly be here all day.

I had been waiting to see Crash for so long. So early in the holidays I went with my mum. I go to see a LOT of movies with my mum, as you will find out.

It was excellent, everything about the movie. The characters, the story, and the way the storyline was set out. Well there is no main character and more than one story. It is set in today's America, the characters are from different ethnic groups with very different positions and status in society, and it deals with racial tolerance. All the characters are connected by simple events and some even crash into eachother.

"It's the sense of touch. Any real city, you walk, you're bumped, brush past people. In LA, no one touches you. We're always behind metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much that we crash into each other just to feel something." - Detective Graham Waters (Don Cheadle)

At one particular moment I nearly burst into tears (I don't mean teary I mean BURST into tears), I involuntarily put my hand over my mouth (I suppose it was to control myself). Don't worry nothing embarassing happened I just remained your normal teary movie goer. I wish I could say at what point but that would be giving to much away.

Okay I need to get moving if I ever want to finish my entries for today.
So I shall end this with 5 stars!!
(I shied away from rating movies before because I can be quite indecisive. But I shall follow Kimmie's example and from here on in all my movies shall have a rating out of 5 stars.)
It was such a good movie. You have to see it if you haven't already

i know it has been awhile

Well I have been on holidays for a couple of weeks, actually I'm still on holidays till the end of this week, but I just haven't been bothered to add to my blog. First 2 weeks of holidays I've been sick, and I guess I'm cursed because uni starts next week for me, and I'm sick again. I've done stuff during the holidays but if I write a full recount about everything I'll be typing on my computer all week. I feel too sick to do that much typing.

I regret not adding to my blog more regularly.
I also regret not going out more with friends during the holidays.

So I'll be back soon writing about movies I've seen, and all the anime I've seen. And I have been watching a lot of anime. Anya had requested anime quite awhile ago but I haven't responded so there will be A LOT OF anime coming to make up for that.

Typical blog stuff really.

By the way Kimmie, that movie with Jonathan Brandis that was on the other day was a TV movie called "Fall Into Darkness." It was quite good for a TV movie, the ending was rather surprising. I wish he had lived longer.